Layla giggled, and the musical sound made me smile. She really was incredible. Although, it seemed like I might need to do a little work to convince her to agree with me. I didn’t like how that other teacher had implied that Layla wasn’t good enough for me. If I were the type of guy to hit a woman, I’d have knocked her on her ass. Layla was fucking gorgeous, even in casual clothes and—I grinned at her footwear—adorable, unique sneakers.

  “How about I let you pick the place?” I offered. I wasn’t familiar with the area, so anywhere I chose would have been a shot in the dark. I didn’t want to start off our first date with shitty food.

  Layla smiled brightly. “Okay. There’s a little place two blocks from here that has amazing pizza and calzones. It’s the yummiest thing you’ll ever eat.”

  I doubt it. I pressed my lips together so that I wouldn’t blurt out the thought. I was willing to bet my hog that her pussy would be the most delicious thing I’d ever eat. But I was trying to take things slow and give her time to get used to me instead of tossing her over my shoulder like a Neanderthal and carrying her off to my cave.

  “I’ll follow you.”

  I helped her into her seat and crouched down to pull the belt across so that my hand lightly brushed against one of her big tits. She sucked in a breath and shivered. I held back a smirk, satisfied that I affected her so strongly. It was only fair since anytime she had come to my mind over the past week, I’d been walking crooked until I could find a distraction.

  She led me to a little hole-in-the-wall joint, and I parked my bike in the space next to her little car. Then I climbed off and opened her door before she got to it. With another sweet smile, she put her soft hand in my much rougher one, and I helped her stand. After she locked the car, I threaded our fingers together, and we entered the restaurant side by side.

  The hostess was a young girl—probably in high school—scrolling through her phone with a bored expression as she blew a bubble of pink gum before popping it.

  “Two,” I said. My voice startled her, and she jumped, nearly dropping her phone.

  “Um, sure,” she muttered as she shoved the cell in her pocket and grabbed two menus. “Follow…um…” She finally looked at us, and when her gaze landed on me, she licked her lips before saying, “Hi,” in a breathless tone that sounded like a little kid whining rather than the seductive voice I was pretty sure she’d been going for.

  Her eyes swept over my body, and I mentally sighed. I curled my arm around Layla and tucked her into my side, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. Layla had been a little stiff, but then she melted into me. I glanced down to see her glaring daggers at the girl and smirked.

  “My woman and I are hungry, think you could show us to a table, little girl, or do you want to ogle her man some more and risk her wrath?”

  Layla straightened her spine and scowled even deeper. Good girl.

  The hostess blinked and took a step back, then spun on her heel. “Right this way.”

  She took us to a booth by the big, front widow, and I helped Layla slide onto the bench seat before following her in. When she looked up at me in surprise, my gaze dropped to her lips, and I wasn’t hungry for food anymore.

  I bent my head and lightly touched my mouth to hers, then palmed the sides of her face when she let out a tiny little moan. The slap of plastic on the table broke the spell, and I whipped my head around to scowl at the retreating back of the obnoxious brat.

  While I would have much preferred to get back to our kiss, Layla’s stomach chose that moment to rumble. I laughed and picked up the two faded menus encased in clear plastic with a bright red edge. After handing her one, I scanned the options, then tossed it away. “What do you usually get here?” I asked softly, bending my head so my lips were at her ear.

  I grinned when her breath caught for a second, then she cleared her throat. “Um, I like the pineapple and ham pizza.”

  Clearly, my attempt to hide my disgust failed because she threw her head back and laughed. I couldn’t help but smile in return. “Fruit doesn’t belong anywhere near a pizza,” I grumped.

  Her eyes sparkled, causing warmth to flow through my body. “How about sausage and green pepper then?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  A server had stopped by with glasses of water while we were deciding on our meal, and I took a sip as I put my arm over Layla’s shoulders and relaxed on the bench seat. She glanced up at me with a shy smile, and after setting my drink on the table, I leaned in to kiss her, but we were interrupted by a gravelly voice asking, “Are you ready to order?” Layla jerked back and her cheeks heated, making me chuckle before turning to face our server.

  Flo—according to her name tag— couldn’t have been a day under seventy-five, with tight gray curls on her head, deep wrinkles on her face, and bright red lipstick. Though her voice had been low and rough—probably from years of smoking—she wore a pleasant expression. She looked like she’d just walked out of a diner scene in an old movie.

  I ordered our pizza and some breadsticks, along with a soda for Layla and a beer for me. Flo smiled and nodded, then walked back toward the kitchen with a spring in her step that belied her age.

  Layla giggled, and the sound set all of my nerve endings on alert. I was acutely aware of her lush body cuddled up to my much harder one. “I feel like we almost got caught making out by my grandmother.”

  “Almost,” I agreed with a wink. Then I captured her lips in a lazy, exploring kiss. One of my hands slipped into her hair to cradle the back of her skull, and I licked along the seam of her mouth. When she opened, my tongue slid inside and curled with hers, eliciting a tiny moan from her throat.

  I wanted to pull her onto my lap, to cup her delicious ass and grind my engorged cock. But a small part of me was still sane enough to remember we were in public. Still, I didn’t pull away until we heard the clearing of a throat. I released Layla’s lips with a soft chuckle. “Busted,” I whispered.

  Layla’s face was tomato red, but she fell into a fit of giggles, making me grin as I turned to look at Flo.

  “Sorry. Got carried away.”

  Flo tsked, but her eyes danced merrily as she placed our glasses and basket of bread in front of us. “Keep it PG, lovebirds. This is a family establishment.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a contrite smile, making her laugh.

  A young guy stood beside her with a tray, and he set it on the table. The aroma was mouthwatering, and I realized I’d been so focused on Layla that I’d forgotten to eat. The only thing I’d been hungry for was her.

  But now, with the food in front of us, I was starving.

  “Enjoy. And let me know if you need anything else.” Flo bustled off and we dug into the delicious fare.

  While we ate, we made small talk, getting to know each other better. The more she told me, the more I was convinced that she was the one for me. Sweet, funny, and fucking gorgeous.

  “Just the one brother?”

  Layla nodded, and her eyes turned wistful. “I always wished I had more siblings.” She ducked her head, but not before I saw the color staining her cheeks. “Maybe that’s why I teach kindergarten…and why I want a big family.”

  My mouth curled up into a gentle smile, and I put a finger under her chin to lift her head. “Nothin’ to be embarrassed about, baby. You just need the right man to keep you knocked up until you have as many kids as you want.” I winked, and she giggled, blushing even harder. Fucking adorable.

  “What about you?” Her question came out so quietly that I almost couldn’t hear it.

  “I haven’t always wanted a family,” I admitted honestly. “I haven’t even been interested in a woman for a very long time.” Looking her straight in the eyes, I finished, "But the right person can change all that.”

  Layla blinked up at me, her emotions playing across her face, confusion, hope, doubt… There still seemed to be a part of her that didn’t believe I could be serious about her. I mentally shrugged. She’d know for sure soon enough.

  After we’d eaten every bite, I paid the check—throwing Layla a dark scowl when she insisted that we split the bill—then held her hand as we exited the restaurant.

  “I’ll follow you home,” I told her as we walked up to her car.

  “Oh, that’s not—”

  I dropped my head to capture her lips in another deep but quick kiss, then growled, “I’m following you home, Layla. I’m going to make sure you are safe and sound so I can get a little sleep rather than stay up worrying all night.”

  “Oh,” she breathed. “Okay…I wouldn’t want you to lose sleep over me.”

  Too late.

  I’d spent a lot of the last week plagued by dreams of her, and while I would rest a little easier knowing she was safe at home and I was in a nearby hotel, I had a feeling that I’d been tossing and turning from the blue balls that were already paining me.

  It turned out that I was right. By the time morning arrived, I knew slow was no longer an option.

  6

  LAYLA

  After my date with Roman, the last thing I wanted to do this morning was clean out my classroom. But it had to be done before the end of the day, so I’d dragged myself out of bed and headed over to the school bright and early. What I’d really wanted to do was stay cuddled under my blanket, dreaming about how the night would’ve gone if Roman had come inside with me instead of just dropping me off at my doorstep. I’d been a little cranky as I got to work…until my sexy biker showed up.

  My eyes widened when there was a brief knock on my door before Roman strode into my classroom. Then my gaze dropped to the box of donuts he carried, and I licked my lips. “You brought breakfast?”

  “And caffeine.” He lifted his other hand to show me a drink carrier with two to-go cups from my favorite coffee place.

  I beamed a smile at him as he strode toward me. “You know how you mentioned that you wanted to impress me with our first date last night?”

  “Yeah, but you ruined that plan 'cause you wanted pizza,” he teased, winking at me to soften the words. “So I figured I’d up my game by bringing you coffee and donuts.”

  “Well, you didn’t have to make up for it because last night was awesome, but this is so sweet of you.”

  Setting the donuts down on the desk, he handed me one of the to-go cups. “Not sure anyone has ever called me sweet before.”

  “Oops.” I felt a blush fill my cheeks as I stared up at him. “I guess that’s not a term used for bikers very often?”

  “Nah, but I like the sound of it on your perfect lips.”

  The heat in my cheeks intensified, but from passion instead of embarrassment. The compliments he gave me were such a turn-on. “Good, because it’s the perfect word to describe your thoughtfulness.”

  “How about I add to it by giving you a hand with all the shit you gotta do around here?” he suggested with a grin.

  I blinked up at him with wide eyes. “Do you have time to help?”

  “Abso-fucking-lutely, gorgeous.” He flipped open the box of donuts and pushed them closer to me so that I had the first pick. “But I have purely selfish motives.”

  “You do?” I mumbled around my donut.

  “Yup,” he confirmed. “The sooner you’re done, the sooner we can head out. And this time, I’m gonna do a fuck of a lot better than pizza for dinner.”

  I loved that he wanted to help me so we could go out on a second date. “Sounds like a great plan to me.”

  After eating donuts—two for me and six for him—we packed up my classroom in a little over an hour, much faster than any of the other teachers. Then Roman carried all the boxes coming home with me to my car. Once they were loaded into the trunk, he murmured, “Gonna follow you back to your place so we can head out from there.”

  “Works for me,” I agreed, looking forward to whatever he had planned for the rest of the day. And hoping that I wasn’t assuming too much since he’d mentioned dinner even though it was early in the day.

  My panties practically melted when I heard the rumble of his engine as he started his bike and pulled out of the parking lot behind me. He stuck close all the way to my apartment, and I was doubly glad for his help because he insisted on carrying everything inside while I changed for our second date.

  “You’re sure this is okay for wherever we’re going?” I asked, glancing down at my jeans, long-sleeved purple T-shirt, and black suede ankle boots with adorable lace ruffles at the top.

  “It’s perfect,” he reassured me, his eyes heating as they raked down the length of my body. “You look so damn beautiful, I’m probably gonna have to growl at every guy in the place so they don’t stare too long.”

  I rolled my eyes with a snort. “Yeah, right. Stuff like that literally never happens to me.”

  Roman moved close and trailed his fingers along my collarbone, sending a shiver down my spine. “It does, gorgeous. I caught sight of you in that parking lot, and I hauled ass to get to you before some other guy beat me to the punch.”

  I swallowed down the lump in my throat and croaked, “But you’re the only one who sees me like that.”

  “Wouldn’t trade my bike for anything before I met you, but I’d put it up in a bet that you’re wrong without thinking twice.” His hand moved higher, and he traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “But I’m grateful as fuck that I’m the only man you ever noticed checking you out. It means I don’t have to put some other guy down to steal you away from him.”

  I sucked in a quick breath at the sincerity shining from his hazel orbs. “How about I just take your word for it instead? Your bike is too awesome to risk losing.”

  “Glad you think so, baby.” He laced his fingers through mine to tug me toward the door. “Because I’m putting you on the back of it.”

  My eyes widened at that information. “You’re going to have to show me what to do. I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before.”

  “I have a hunch I’m gonna enjoy the fuck out of teaching my little teacher.” He waited until I locked the door behind us to add, “But I have to warn you…I’m not used to riding with someone behind me. You’re going to be the first woman on my bike.”

  I loved that he hadn’t taken anyone else for a ride before. Maybe it didn’t mean anything, but I hoped it was because putting a woman on the back of their motorcycle meant something to bikers. That I was someone special to Roman.

  “Then I guess we’ll figure it out together.”

  “We will.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “And you don’t have to worry about being safe with me. I’ve been riding for years and would never do anything to put you at risk.”

  “I trust you.”

  Although we’d first met a week ago, we’d really only known each other for a day, but I was surprised to find that it didn’t make the words any less true. Roman was a big, muscular biker, but he’d been nothing but gentle and kind with me. Which was the only reason I didn’t completely freak out when so much time passed without us stopping. I was too busy enjoying being wrapped around Roman to notice where he’d taken me when he finally pulled into a parking lot behind a bar.

  My legs were shaky as he helped me climb off the back of the bike. When he tugged the helmet off my head, I beamed a smile at him. “Thanks! That was so much fun.”

  “Glad you enjoyed the ride, gorgeous.”

  Turning my head, I blinked up at the sign above the back entrance to the bar. “Liquid Silver. I’ve never heard of this place, but it’s a cool name.”

  “Didn’t expect you to be familiar with it when it’s in a different state and we mostly get locals who are connected to the Silver Saints as customers.”

  My eyes widened in shock. I had kind of assumed we rode for so long because he knew I didn’t want it to end too quickly. It was hard to believe I’d been so wrapped up in him that I hadn’t even noticed when we crossed the state line. Then again, we’d mostly taken backroads, so it wasn’t as though we’d passed a giant sign like they had on the highway.

  So many questions circled my brain, but the first one that popped out was, “You live two hours away from me?”

  “Yeah,” he confirmed with a nod. “I was at your brother’s ceremony because the wives of two of my club brothers were graduating.”

  I’d already figured that out for myself since it had been impossible to miss the bunch of bikers who had cheered for two of Luther’s classmates when they’d walked across the stage. But there had been so many of them that it had never crossed my mind that Roman and his friends weren’t from the same area as me.

  “Will you be okay driving all the way to my place and back again after dinner? It’ll be dark, and you’ll probably be tired if you’ve made the trip so many times in only a couple of days.”

  “I feel so at home on my motorcycle that I could ride it for much longer than that, day or night, without any trouble at all,” he assured me with a grin as he put both helmets into his saddlebag. “But I’ve only done the ride twice in as many days since I stayed at a hotel near your place last night. And I wasn’t planning on making the drive tonight. I want you to stay with me.”

  My eyes widened as I echoed, “Stay with you?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll take you back after dinner if that’s what you want.”

  Oddly enough, it wasn’t. But that didn’t mean I was prepared to spend the night with him. “I don’t have any of my stuff with me.”

  “I can get anything you need.” He jerked his chin toward a set of stairs that led to a door on the second story of the building. “And you’re more than welcome to wear whatever of mine you’d like. My place is upstairs since I manage the bar. All you have to do is say yes, gorgeous. I’ll take care of everything else.”

  7

  ROM

  My breath was stuck in my throat as I waited for her answer. I honestly wasn’t sure I could follow through with my promise to take her home if she said no.

  To my utter relief, she smiled shyly and nodded. “Okay. I’ll stay tonight.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9